Some innings impress you. And then some innings quietly become part of cricket’s history. What Joe Root delivered on Day 3 of the fourth Test against India at Old Trafford was the latter — calm, measured, and quietly monumental.
Root scored a masterful 150 off 248 balls, pushing his career total past 13,409 runs. That puts him second on the all-time list of Test run scorers, overtaking icons like Ricky Ponting, Jacques Kallis, and Rahul Dravid. Now, only Sachin Tendulkar’s 15,921 stands ahead of him — a number once thought untouchable.
What makes this special isn’t just the volume of runs, but the way Root has built this legacy over time, across conditions, through changing teammates and eras. There’s no fuss to his batting. No noise. Just the steady sound of leather meeting the middle of the bat.
A Master of His Craft
Root’s technique has always been textbook, but what’s matured over the years is his mental game. Against India’s bowlers — some experienced, some struggling — he didn’t rush. He didn’t dominate. He simply outlasted.
This was innings No. 38 in terms of Test centuries, and yet it looked as fresh as one of his early hundreds. He knew exactly when to push, when to absorb pressure, and how to rotate the strike even when boundaries were hard to come by.
It’s a sign of a player who doesn’t just understand the game — he understands himself.
A Historic Venue, Now Marked by a Historic Milestone
There’s a poetic symmetry in Root achieving this feat at Old Trafford — a venue steeped in English cricket tradition. With this innings, he also became the first cricketer to score over 1,000 Test runs at the ground.
That’s not a minor stat. Old Trafford has hosted Tests since the 1800s. For Root to claim that record here, during such a high-profile series, only adds to the significance of the day.
The Bigger Picture for England
Root’s innings wasn’t played in isolation. His knock was the centrepiece of a massive total: England reached 544 for seven at the end of Day 3, establishing a commanding 186-run lead.
Contributions from Ollie Pope (71) and Ben Stokes (77 not out) helped keep the pressure on. But it was Root who batted through the tough phases and set the platform. In a series that’s seen momentum swing frequently, this innings may just tilt things heavily in England’s favour.
India Left Searching for Answers
On the other side, India struggled. Injuries to Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj left the bowling attack looking short of bite. The backups — Mukesh Kumar, Prasidh Krishna, and others — couldn’t maintain pressure, and fielding lapses only made matters worse.
Root, as always, took full advantage of the situation. He didn’t need to take risks. He let India’s frustration build, and then slowly turned the screw.
There were moments when the visitors looked visibly at a loss for ideas. It’s a rare sight — but one that England earned with discipline, and Root led with precision.
An Inevitable Question: Can Root Catch Sachin?
It’s the conversation many are quietly having now. Can Joe Root reach 15,921? On paper, he’s still over 2,500 runs away. That’s not a small number — it would likely take 30–35 more Test matches at this level of performance.
But age is on his side. At 33, Root is arguably in the best shape of his career, physically and mentally. If his passion for the red ball game continues, and England play a decent number of Tests each year, it’s not an impossible task.
More importantly, it feels like Root’s focus has never really been about chasing records. That might be why he’s come this far — because he’s always played for the team, for the challenge, and for the rhythm of Test cricket itself.
A Minor Footnote: Celebration Controversy?
There were brief murmurs post-stumps about a possible fine related to Root’s celebration — something minor, possibly a breach of protocol. Nothing official has been confirmed yet, and frankly, it’s not the story here.
Even if there is a fine, it won’t take away from what this inning meant — for him, for England, and for anyone who still sees beauty in a long, hard-fought Test match.
Why This Innings Matters
In an era where Test cricket is constantly being questioned — too long, too slow, too few fans — this kind of performance is a quiet answer. You don’t need fireworks to make something unforgettable. Sometimes, what sticks with you is the patience, the timing, the subtle class.
Joe Root reminded the world of that, not with a headline-grabbing six, but with a story told over six hours at the crease.
And that’s what real Test greatness looks like.
FAQs
Q1: How many Test runs have Joe Root scored now?
He’s now passed 13,409 runs, making him the second-highest Test run scorer in history.
Q2: Who holds the record for the most Test runs?
Sachin Tendulkar, with 15,921 Test runs.
Q3: What record did Root set at Old Trafford?
He became the first player to score 1,000+ Test runs at the ground.
Q4: How likely is it that Root could surpass Tendulkar?
It’s possible, but difficult. If he maintains form and plays 3–4 more years of regular Tests, he has a real shot.
Q5: Was Root fined for his celebration?
As of now, there’s no official confirmation. Reports suggest a minor breach, but it hasn’t overshadowed his performance.
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